Box or case



(N0 Model.)

JqsHEBH-E Y i Wm M N` PETERS Pumulmanpm. wmhlnmm mc.

i UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE.

JAMES SEEEHEY, or str. ALBANS, VERMONT.

BOX OR CASE.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,038, dated- March `13%, 1883. i Application led September 5, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES SHEEHEY, of St. Albans, in the county ot Franklin and State of Vermont, have invented a new and Im proved Match-Safe; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specication.

Myinvention relates to an improvement in match-safes which are ordinarily exposed in halls, restaurants, and tobacco-shops, where matches, tooth-picks, or other similar articles are provided gratuitously, although it may not be limited to this special use. In these public places custom and the demands of business require that matches, (particularlygand occasionally other similar articles, should be so eX- posed as to readily aord a person opportunity to obtain one or a limtednumber without dit'- ticulty. With the ordinaryappliances the pro-` petty peculators. Heretofole receptacles have been invented, and to a limited extent used, designed to protect the proprietors from this unnecessary loss; but they have proved objectionable because ot' the difficulty with which -theyfwere replenished, as well as'withdraw- 1 ble matches, easily replenished, but from which but one article can be conveniently taken at a time, although one maybe readily withdrawn, and several persons may use the same at nearly the same time.

My invention consists of a tray constructed of any suitable material, (non-combustible, if desired,) and of any convenient shape, so that its side stands at an angle with the base, openV at the top and provided with rows of perpendicular pegs, which may be flanged at the top, secured to the bottom ot' the tray at convenient distances from each other and the side of the flanged at D. Practically I find that the most convenient form of construction is with an opening in the top of six inches, thedistance between theperpendicular pegs being oneinch. The flange at the top of the pegs is not decidedly material. It will be readily seen that this safe can be quickly and easily replenished; that the matches lying within it are crossed in many directions by those superimposed, and that all will lightly impinge upon the side 'of the pegs, Vrendering `difficult: the Withdrawal of more than one article at a time., although one may be readily withdrawn, many may use it at nearly the saine time, and the matches are all visible.

What l claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is y In match-safes, a tray constructed ot' any convenient material and desiredshape, whose side stands at an angle with the base, provided,

with straight or anged perpendicular pegs secured to the base in such a manner that matches or other similar articles may be placed therein and lightly impinge upon the side of the pegs, substantially and for the purpose hereinbet'ore set forth.

, JAMES SHEEHEY. In presence ot'-v GEoReE T. MooNEY, WIr-.Bonn P. Davis. 

